Facing up to troublemakers

A CHINESE DEEP-SEA OIL RIG, OPERATING IN our own territorial waters near the Xisha Islands, has been harassed repeatedly by Vietnamese vessels, some of them naval vessels.

Eleven Chinese fishermen, operating in traditional fisheries that have been China's for centuries, were held by the Philippine authorities and are now being prosecuted for unverifiable crimes.

The timing of such incidents is notable, coming as they have after US President Barack Obama's visit to the US' key Asia-Pacific allies and just before the 24th summit of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.